WCSO 2021 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 6
OREGON’S SAFEST
MAJOR URBAN COUNTY
It is easy to see why being part of a community where people feel safe
ranks high for all of us. The 726 square miles of Washington County are
mapped out into 14 geographic beats or service areas to best serve our
communities. In such a large and diverse county, each beat may have
different needs and requires dedicated staff for problem-solving and
strategic planning. Assigned together, deputies and the beat sergeant
understand area residents’ needs and tailor service locally for community engagement and accountability. Beat sergeants and deputies
regularly connect and collaborate with the community — through events
involving schools, community meetings, local business associations, and
educational public safety presentations. Lieutenants are responsible
for sectors or a collection of beats in similar geographic areas. Taking
a broader holistic look, the Lieutenants take the collective needs of an
area, identify problems, and help leverage available assistance.
Deputies patrol the road 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We take pride in
saying this is more than a full-time job — because it is — patrolling the
streets and partnering with communities for public safety is our calling.
4 | WCSOOregon.org
Mental Health Response Team that pairs a deputy
and clinician to respond to people in crisis
